Food for Progress Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Fiscal Year 2026

The Food for Progress Program is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture through its Foreign Agricultural Service as part of its international food assistance portfolio. The program is authorized under the Food Security Act of 1985 and is designed to support agricultural and economic development in emerging agricultural economies and developing democracies. It operates by providing U.S. agricultural commodities to partner countries, which are then sold in local markets. The proceeds from these sales are used to fund development activities that strengthen agricultural productivity and expand trade. The program aligns with broader U.S. policy objectives by promoting free enterprise systems, improving market access, and supporting sustainable economic growth in targeted regions. The primary purpose of the program is to achieve two overarching objectives: increasing agricultural productivity and expanding trade of agricultural products. These objectives are implemented through projects that must include the monetization of U.S. commodities and reinvestment of proceeds into development activities. Eligible activities may include technical assistance, capacity building, infrastructure improvements, access to finance initiatives, and market system strengthening. Projects must also demonstrate cost efficiency, incorporate strong oversight mechanisms, and include a clear exit strategy to ensure sustainability after program completion. Funds are restricted to allowable uses under federal regulations and may not be used for lobbying, legal actions against governments, or other prohibited activities. Funding for this opportunity is substantial, with total available federal funding up to approximately $226 million and individual awards expected to range between $28 million and $35 million. The program anticipates issuing approximately seven awards, each supporting projects lasting four to five years. The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, meaning there is substantial involvement between the USDA and the recipient throughout the project lifecycle. This includes monitoring performance, reviewing procurement actions, and collaborating on implementation and reporting. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes governments of emerging agricultural countries, intergovernmental organizations, nonprofit organizations, private voluntary organizations, nongovernmental organizations, agricultural cooperatives, colleges and universities, and other private entities. All applicants must maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management and demonstrate compliance with all application requirements. While cost sharing is not required, applicants are encouraged to include voluntary contributions, which may strengthen their application during the evaluation process. The application process is detailed and requires submission through the Food Aid Information System. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive package that includes a strategic analysis, plan of operation, organizational capacity documentation, monitoring and evaluation framework, commodity management plan, and detailed budget. Additional required forms include the SF-424 and supporting documentation such as proof of nonprofit status where applicable. Applications must adhere strictly to formatting and page limits, and incomplete submissions will be deemed ineligible. Questions may be submitted prior to the deadline, and responses are posted publicly. Applications are evaluated based on multiple criteria, including the quality of the strategic analysis, feasibility and effectiveness of the plan of operation, organizational capacity, monitoring and evaluation approach, commodity management strategy, and budget justification. Additional consideration is given to overall application quality and clarity. The review process includes eligibility screening, technical evaluation, and potential negotiation with top-ranked applicants before final award decisions are made. Key dates for the funding opportunity include a deadline for submitting questions in mid-June and a final application submission deadline in early July. Award decisions are expected in late August, with awards issued in late September. The anticipated project start date is October 1, with performance periods extending approximately four to five years. Applicants may contact the program director via email or phone for additional information, and all communication is centralized through official USDA channels. This opportunity represents a major federal investment in international agricultural development and offers significant funding for organizations capable of implementing large-scale, multi-year projects.

Ensure strong alignment with program objectives of productivity and trade expansion; demonstrate cost-effectiveness and sustainability; include clear exit strategy; ensure compliance with formatting and submission requirements; incorporate measurable outcomes and strong monitoring systems